Activity Overview
Students will predict how many of each color will be in one pack of skittles before they open the package. Once they open the package, they will determine how close their predictioins are to the actual amount. Students then will come up with ratios and averages.
During the Activity
Review with students the proper order for writing fractions.
1. For example, if there are four greens out of 52 candies the fraction will be 4/52.
The ratio would be 4:52.
Next model on the overhead, a bar graph using the 4 greens out of total of 52. Color with green marker.
Then review how to find average using a calculator.
2. Pass to each student a pack of skittles. They should not open the packs.
3. Students will predict how many of each color is in their package. Then they will add their total estimated amount.
4. Students will open their packet of skittles, separate the colors and count each one. Students will then write down the actual amount next to the predicted amount.
5. Students will make a double bar graph using the graph paper. The first column will have the estimated amount. The second column will have the actual amount.
6. Next, students will record the fraction which will represent the number of each color in the packet.
7. Then students match ratios to the fractions.
8. Teacher will write all data on overhead and students will come up with the class average using calculators.
9. Students will discuss their results with the class and of course eat the skittles.
After the Activity
Assessment: Students will write a sentence or two in math journals comparing their predictions with the actual data. Then, they will write a paragraph interpreting the information from their bar graphs.